Shock absorber



June 23, 1925. 1,543,361

' W. M. BOENNING SHOCK ABSORBER Filed Sept. 30. 1922 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 0 U E M1]? amf lfmenmng June 23, 1925. 1,543,361

w. M. BOENNING SHOCK ABSORBER Filed Sept. 30, 1922 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Patented June 23, 1925.

um'ran vs-T Arias- W L IAM M. BOENNING, or manirowoc, isconsin.

' Application filed September so, 1922. semi nbi'salja'zr T 0 (ZZZ whom it may concern Bezit' known that L'WI-LLIAM M. Bonn- NING, a citizen of the United States, and resident of 1015 11th Street, Manitowoc, in the county of Manitowoc and State-of l/Visconsin, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Shock Absorbers; and I do hereby declare that the following is a full, clear, and exact description thereof.

The invention relates to recoil shockgabsorbers of the strap and pulley type generally termed snubbers.

It comprises a pulley, a flexible band secured thereto, and arcuate springs positioned between adjacent portions of the wound band for exercising a snubbingnaction. The springs are movable radially,

The primary object of theinvention is the effecting of an efiicient snubbing action. Two surfaces of the spring are in contact with the band and are enabled toexercise frictional resistance to movement thereof.

The springs are self-adjusting, being movable radially so that they conform to the shape of the band irrespective of the amount of the band that is paid out. 7

An important ob]ect is the provision of means for varying the force of the snubbing action. The casing comprises an inner disc whichhas a series of spaced notches on the edgethereof adapted to receive a fixed lug.

The frictional area of the springs operative for snubbing action, depends on the notch in which the lug is positioned; Means are provided for readily'efiecting' the adjustment of the disc, whereby the lug is secured in any desired notch. hicles, a greater snubbing action is desired, while for lighter vehicles, a lesser snubbing action is preferred. 1

"An object of he'invention is the provision of parts of especial simplicity, few in number, easy and inexpensive to manufacture, and durable, adapted to withstand long usage.

'An object of the invention is the conven ient and effective lubricating of bearing parts, whereby freeaction of the pulley is insured, a spring being provided for returning the pulley after snubbing action.

A further object of the invention-is the provision of simple means for effectively anchoring an end of the'helical spring. I

A still further object of the invention is the provision of means adapted-to securely retain an end ofthe band on an axle, at the \Vith heavier vesame time permitting amaximum movement ofthe axle towards the snubben With the above" and other objects inview, which will appear as :the. description-pro ceeds, the invention resides in the noval con struction, combination and-arrangement of parts substantially aswhereina fter described and more particularl'ydefined by the appended claims, it'being understood that such changes in the-precise--enibodiinent of the herein disclosed invention may bemade as come withinthe "scope of the claims.

In the accompanying drawing illustira-ted-oI-ie complete example of the physical embodiment of the" present invention constri-ictedaccording to the best so far devised for the practical application of the principles "thereof, and which- 5 Figure "1 is a central, vertical section'of thesnubber as applied toa vehicle frame.

, Figure 2 is a 'i'ron-t view showing the easing disc broken away. I

Figure is a section on the line 3- 3 of Figure l. V

'Figurei iis a side elevation ofith'e band as applied to an axle, showingthe loop and clamp in cross section.

I Figure 5 i's'asection jacent the-loo'p and clamp, showing part of the clamp in section. i

A bracket is provided for the snubbei,

which is ogival in vertical section, having a-rcuate walls 10-10, as shown-in Figure 3.

The lower edge ofthewalls rests upon a horizontal flange 11 of the frame of the vehicle. The a-rcuate walls 10''10 are integralwith a front wall 12 and rear wall 13, which is provided with a nipple 14 adapted tocontact with a vertical portion 15 0f a vehicleframe. Walls 10-10"contact with thisportion. Formed integrally with, walls 10110 and inwardly directed therefrom is a threaded retainer 16adaptedto cooperate with abolt-17 extended outwardly through an opening in vertical portion 15; Thusfthe bracket is securely held in position. A spindle 18 is secured nipple ltby means of a pin 19 and'extends outwardly through anopening in front wall 12 of the-bracket.

he spindle 18 is provided with an annular throughthe band askv shoulder 19 adapted to contact with the sur- 5 face of front wall '12; The spindle is provided with a longitudinal duct 20 normally closed by aplug 21- at the end. Throug this duct lubr cant may be fed throughan opening leading from the duct to a sleeve 23 having apertures '24 for'the passage of the lubricant. A disc 25 fits about spindle 18 and contacts with front wall 12 forming part of a casing. The disc has a series of slots adjacent its edge which receive tongues 26 laterally extending from cylinder 27 which forms part of the casing.

The cylinder is provided also with tongues 28 received in slots in front disc 29, which has a central opening adjacent the spindle adapted to receive the end of a cup 30 which is fitted upon the spindle. The cup has an annular, outwardly directed flange 31 which contacts with the outer disc.

Nut 32, exerting pressure on the outer face of the cup, holds disc 29 from movement outwardly by means of flange 31.

Thus the entire casing is held snugly against front wall 12 of the bracket.

Inner disc 25 is provided with a series of spaced notches 33, in which a lug 34 carried 'by front wall 12 is adapted to fit snugly. By'loosening nut 32v and moving disc 25 outwardly on spindle 18 any desired notch may be fitted over the lug 34.

Pulley 35 has an inner wall 36 fitting against inner disc 25 and integral with a hub 37, the hub resting on sleeve 23. The

effective lubricating action through duct 20 facilitates the rotation of the pulley. A spiral spring 38 is formed into a hook 39 at its inner end, gripping a lug 40 on inner wall 36 of the pulley. The spring envelops hub 37 and at its other end is formed into a thread retaining portion 41, which is received in a groove in a collar 42 fitted upon spindle 18. Inward movement of the collar on the spindle is prevented by an annular shoulder 43. The outer face of the collar is provided with a slot receiving a pin 44 which extends through an opening in the spindle. The pin contacts with the end of the spring and prevents its removal. It operates also to prevent outwardmovement of collar 42 on the spindle. The end of a band 45 is secured to pulley. 35 by means of bolt 46 at shoulder 47 formed on the pulley. The band extends about the pulley and, as shown in Figure 2, overlaps the shoulder4. and the end of the band. The fittingv of the end of the band to the shoulder is such that a smooth curved surface results so that there is no tendency to out the band.

Inner disc 25 and outer disc 29 are provided with radial slots 48. Extending substantially from one disc to the other is an enlarged arcuate spring 49, the inner surface of which is adapted to contact with an inner winding of the band. A small ar cuate spring 50 fits on theouter surface of spring 49 intermediate the ends thereof. Springs 49 and 50 are each provided with a pair of tongues 51 extending into slots 48. A metallic clip 52 extends about adjacent pairs of tongues and secures them together.

The tongues and clip'extend across the entire width of the slot so that the springs are capable only of movement in a radial direction, the tongues being guided by the walls of the slots.

On the exerting of excessive tension on the lower end of band 45 which is secured to the axle, effective frictional or snubbing action results between the band and the outer surfaces of springs 49 and 50, and also between the inner winding of the band and the inner surface of spring 49. The unwinding of the band alters the curvature of the portions in contact with the spring because the band iswound spirally.

' The flexible character of the springs permit them to conform to the various curvatures, and the variations of radial distances of the portions of the band in contact with the spring is automatically adjusted for by reason of the character of the springs which float radially, being guided by slots 48. Thus a highly effective snubbing action is produced.

On the release of tension at the lower end of the band, helical spring 38 operates to take up slack.

For vehicles of greater weight, a greater snubbing action is desirable, and for vehicles of lesser weight, a lesser snubbing action is desirable. the position of the casing is altered by moving it in a clockwise direction, lookingat Figure 2, the right-hand'end of spring 49 will produce less frictional, or snubbingaction on the band. The notches 33 and lug 34, therefore, offer a convenient means for adjusting the strength of the snubber. i t V The cylinder 27 is cut-away to provide room for the band, which is extended downwardly about the axle 50'. The band is rove through ,a rectangular loop 51 and extended about the axle and again directed through the loop. Effectively gripping the extreme end of the band and preventing its escape from the loop is a clamp. The clamp comprises a pair'of similar j airs 52. Each of the jaws is substantially W shape in cross section so as to provide three longitudinally extending teeth which are disposed in opposed relation so as to exert an effective gripping action on the band. Each of the jawshas an aperture adjacent its ends and the adjacent ends of the jaws are clamped together by bolts 53, the exterior part of the jaws being flattened slightly so as'to provide flat portions on which the head of the boltand the nut rest. The ends of the jaws are spaced outwardly beyond the loop so thatthere is no possibility of'escape of the band through the loop.

There are no parts'of the securing device extending upwardly above the axle for any considerable distance. Consequently when the axle is moved upwardly, substantially all that part of the band above the axle is free to be wound into the casing. "When the axle moves outwardly again, it is subjected to the snubbing actionof a very considerable length of band.

It is apparent that the device is simple and easy to manufacture and durable.

I claim 1. The combination of an inner casing portion, an outer casing portion, a spindle, a pulley rotatable thereon, a band secured at one end to said pulley and wound there about and adapted to rotate said pulley, and a flexible member extending between wind-- ings of said band for exerting frictional resistance to movement thereof, said flexible member being positioned between said casing portions and movablein its entirely inwardly and outwardly.

2. The combination of a spindle, a pulley rotatable thereon, an inner casing member, an outer casing member, a band secured at one end to said pulley and wound thereabout and adapted to rotate said pulley, and an arcuate member, said pulley, said band, and

said arcuate member being positioned between said casing members, said arcuate member extending between the winding of said band and being movable radially in its entirety.

3. The combination of a spindle, a pulley rotatable thereon, an inner casing portion, an outer casing portion, a band secured at one end to said pulley and adapted to rotate said pulley, an arouate member extending between windings of said band for exerting frictional resistance to movement of said band in one direction, and guide means for limiting the movement of said arcuate member, whereby said arcuate member is guided in its movement to travel radially.

l. The combination of a spindle, a pulley thereon, an inner casing portion, an outer casing portion, a band secured at one end to said pulley, said band being Wound on said pulley, an arcuate spring extending between windings of said band, said pulley, said band and said spring lying between said casing portions, and means for preventing movement of said spring in a rotary direction, but permitting movement thereof in a radial direction.

5. The combination of a spindle, 'a pulley thereon, an inner casing portion, an outer casing portion, a band secured at one end to said pulley and wound about said pulley,

an arcuate member extending between windings of said band, said pulley, said band, and said member lying between said casing portions, radial slots in said casing portions, and tongues extending from said member into said slots for guiding said member to move radially.

6. The combination of a spindle, a pulley thereon, an inner casing portion, an outer casing portion, a band secured at one end to said pulley, said band being wound about said pulley, an elongated arcuate, flexible member, a short flexible member fitting on the outer surface of said first mentioned member, a pair of tongues laterally projecting from each of said members, means for securing said tongues together, said pulley, said band and said members lying between said casing portion, said casing portions having radial slots therein receiving said tongues, whereby said members are guided in movement to travel radially.

'7. In a device of the class described, a bracket, a wall on said bracket, a lug outwardly directed from said wall, said wall having an opening therein, a spindle extending through said opening, a disc having an aperture therein, said spindle extending through said aperture, said disc having a series of spaced notches along the edge thereof, each of said notches being adapted to cooperate with said lug to prevent rotation of said disc about said spindle.

8. The combination of a bracket, an outer wall rigid with said bracket, a disc contacting with said wall, said disc and said wall having alined openings, a spindle extending through said openings and secured to said bracket, a lug outwardly directed from said wall, said disc having a series of spaced notches along the edge thereof adapted to receive said lug, an outer disc, means securing said disc in spaced relation to each other, a pulley on said spindle, a band secured at one end to said pulley and wound about said alley, an arcuate member adapted to extend between windings of said band, and means for limiting the movement of said member so that it may travel only in a radial direction.

In testimony that I claim the foregoing I have hereunto set my hand at Manitowoc, in the county of Manitowoc and State of Wisconsin.

WILLIAM M. BOENNING. 

